Is there one thing this year you really want to change in your life? For most of us, we have tried to change before but found ourselves frustrated by continual failure. Based on my own experience and my research into the science of behavior change, here is a plan to consider if you are serious about making change in a habit. I’ll illustrated the method by talking about my own desire to cut back on sweets:
- Be specific about what behavior it is you are trying to change (for me it is to stop eating sugar).
- In writing, tell yourself why this is important (for me it is because there is a history of diabetes in my family and I want to avoid the disease).
- Select a time period that is reasonable to make the change. Many people are making a month-long commitment to do something in January. For example to make January a drink free month, or to make January a meat free month (for me it is making January a sweets free month).
- Either on paper or through an app, record each day your progress toward your goal (for me it would be, did I eat sweets or not. So far I have been successful for 4 straight days).
- Tell significant others about your commitment (for me, I am sharing my commitment with you through Dr Rob).
- Create an environment which supports the change (for me I have removed all sugar from the house including sugary cereal).
- Make a plan for the times that carrying out your commitment will be difficult (for me this will be going to events where there are sugary sweets all around).
- If you falter, start again. If you fall off the horse, get back on. A day or two of a slippage is not a sufficient reason to stop the plan.
There it is. I’d be interested to hear what your commitment is, and, if you want, I’d be happy to share it next week with the Dr Rob audience.
If you’re in the area, please join us for our next Leaders Connect Breakfasts:
1/17/20 – “Leadership In Minority and Women Run Businesses”
2/7/20 – “Overcome It” with Austin Hatch
